AGENDA ITEM J-2 City Attorney

Transcription

1 AGENDA ITEM J-2 City Attorney STAFF REPORT City Council Meeting Date: 2/6/2018 Staff Report Number: CC Regular Business: Provide direction on placing enabling charter on November 2018 ballot Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council discuss whether to place an enabling charter on the November 2018 ballot. Policy Issues This staff report discusses the process for placing a simple enabling charter on the November 2018 ballot. Background Menlo Park is currently a general law city subject to State restrictions even in the area of municipal affairs. Over the years, Menlo Park has wanted to pursue certain initiatives that were only available to charter cities. Most recently, both residents and the Council have expressed a desire to examine other types of voting systems currently not available to general law cities. To avail itself of other types of voting systems and/or a hybrid district/at large voting process, Menlo Park would need to become a charter city. To become a charter city, a city must adopt a charter. Adoption of a charter requires a vote of the people. 1 Once a charter is adopted it operates as a local constitution. Like the federal and state constitutions, a charter may only be adopted, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of a city s residents. Charter cities have more authority over their municipal affairs. Charter cities also have greater flexibility in government operations as they are not bound by certain state requirements and are free to devise their own processes. A charter city has more options when considering how to handle a number of municipal affairs. This includes, but is not limited to, the following: Construction and maintenance contracting 2 Land use City finances City government structure Elections 1 Cal Const art XI, 3(a). 2 Historically, many cities adopted charters in order to avoid payment of prevailing wages for public works projects. A recent State law (SB 7) took away this incentive by withholding State grant money from charter cities that exempted public works projects from prevailing wage requirements. SB 7 s constitutionality is currently being challenged. City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA tel PAGE 67

2 Staff Report #: CC Notwithstanding these advantages, there are several limitations and safeguards on a charter city s powers. In particular, a charter city s decision-making authority is specifically limited to only municipal affairs and does not extend to matters of statewide concern. Generally speaking, a matter of statewide concern is something that is determined, by the courts, to be of importance to the entire state. In those cases, state law preempts local regulations. For example, many traffic regulations are matters of statewide concern. A charter city would not be able to adopt local traffic regulations that would conflict with those enacted by the Legislature. (For more detail on charter cities, see Attachment A.) On January 16, the Council discussed the process for adopting a charter utilizing the traditional process of a charter commission or committee. The timeline for utilizing a committee would essentially preclude a November 2018 election. After additional research, the City Attorney came up with a potential simple solution that would allow the voters to approve a broad enabling charter in November 2018, without the need to bind itself to specific regulations in the areas of municipal affairs, such as method of elections, tax measures, land use regulations and the like. Essentially it would be an enabling charter allowing the Council to adopt those provisions in the future by ordinance without going back to the voters (other than to approve tax measures as required by the State Constitution). Analysis Adopting an Enabling Charter that Establishes Framework for Local Control A city charter can be as simple or complex as the Council desires. At a minimum the charter must contain an enabling provision declaring autonomy over local affairs. This provision typically references the California Constitutional provision which permits cities to adopt charters authorizing local control. 3 A common enabling provision reads as follows: Section 100 Municipal Affairs: The City of shall have full power and authority to adopt, make, exercise and enforce ail legislation. laws, and regulations, and to take all actions relating to municipal affairs, without limitation, which may be lawfully adopted, made, exercised, taken or enforced, under the Constitution of the State of California. (See for example Attachment B, City of Palmdale charter.) The effect of this provision is to give the Council authority to later adopt ordinances and regulations in any all areas of municipal affairs. Until the City actually adopts those implementing ordinances, however, the general laws of the State continue to apply. As the City can only exercise local control over municipal affairs, matters of statewide concern are not impacted by the adoption of a charter and will also continue to be governed by State law. Most charters also contain additional provisions listing and defining a city s scope of authority in the various areas of municipal concern, such as elections, government structure, police force, public contracting and land use. It is important to note there is no requirement that the Charter list or enumerate those specific municipal powers but they provide a transparent summary of a city s powers. For example, the City of Palmdale adopted a provision as follows: Section 500. Local Control of Land Use. The citizens of Palmdale recognize and declare that managing land use and development within the City of Palmdale and ensuring that necessary public facilities are provided to the citizens of the City of Palmdale are quintessential elements of local control and therefore are municipal affairs. The adoption of this Charter recognizes and reaffirms the principles of local land use management and control and affirms the principle that City of Palmdale local land use regulations may be superior to and take precedence over any conflict in general laws 3 Cal.Const., art. XI, Section 5. City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA tel PAGE 68

3 Staff Report #: CC of the State of California. The intent of this Charter is to allow the City Council and the voters to exercise the maximum degree of control over land use matters within the City of Palmdale. (Attachment B.) While it is not legally necessary to separately enumerate this land use power in the City s charter, it provides a clearer message to the voters that the Council intends to exercise its local control power in this area. A similar approach could be used to authorize alternative election methods. Again, the City of Palmdale contains a good example: Section 600 Elections. The City shall have the power to adopt ordinances establishing procedures, rules or regulations concerning City of Palmdale elections and public officials, including but not limited to, the qualifications and compensation of elected officials, the method, time and requirements to hold elections, to fill vacant offices and for voting by mail. Unless in conflict with ordinances adopted by the City, state law regarding elections shall apply. (Attachment B.) This approach has several advantages over a provision prescribing a certain type of voting method. First, it can easily be adopted without the need of a lengthy committee process. The drafting could be done by the City Attorney and the public input could be conducted through the public hearing process required for charter adoption. Second, it does not commit the City to a particular voting method, such as ranked choice or cumulative voting. The City could have a community discussion about different voting methods and then implement by ordinance a new method without going back to the voters for a charter amendment. This outreach process could involve formation of an election committee. Likewise, the City could more easily pivot to an alternative election method by simple ordinance without the need for a voter approved charter amendment. (Of course any such ordinance would be subject to voter referendum.) Pros and Cons of Becoming a Charter City The Council also requested high level information on the pros and cons of Menlo Park becoming a charter city. In a nutshell, the benefit of becoming a charter city is the ability to have more control over local government autonomy. Since the question of what is a municipal affair is subject to judicial interpretation, it is difficult to predict how courts will rule on this issue going forward. For example, older court decisions found housing to be a local affair, but later decisions have found housing, especially affordable housing, to be a statewide concern. The pendulum may shift again. Attached is a chart published by the League of Cities comparing the key characteristics of general law and charter cities (Attachment A). The City Attorney has annotated this chart to show the impact to Menlo Park in each of these key areas of local concern. Given the current encroachment into local control by both the legislature and courts, the distinctions between general law and charter cities is probably at an all-time low. That said charter city status can provide flexibility in key areas (currently or in the future) with little downside risk. Process for Adopting Simple Enabling Charter While an enabling charter can be drafted without committee input, it still must be voted on at a General Municipal Election (i.e. November of even numbered years) and is still subject to the State-prescribed public hearing process for charter adoption. This public hearing process requires approximately 75 days. In order to place a charter on the ballot, two public hearings must take place following an initial 21-day notice period. City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA tel PAGE 69

4 Staff Report #: CC During the first public hearing, a draft of the charter would need to be considered by the City Council. The second public hearing is required to take place 30 days after the first hearing. Following the second public hearing, the item may be set for final City Council deliberation after another 21-day waiting period. 4 Once this process is completed, the City Clerk can forward the measure regarding the proposed charter to the County Clerk-Recorder's Office. The County's deadline for submittal of measures for the November 2018 ballot is August 10, Impact on City Resources A broad enabling charter would take less staff to draft in the short term. Over time, however, considerable staff time would be needed to implement local ordinances in the areas of municipal affairs. Environmental Review This action is not a project within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines and 15061(b)(3) as it proposes an organizational structure change that will not result in any direct or indirect physical change in the environment. Public Notice Public Notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with the agenda items being listed, at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Attachments A. Chart comparing General Law and Charter Cities B. City of Palmdale Charter Report prepared by: William L. McClure, City Attorney 4 Cal. Gov t Code City of Menlo Park 701 Laurel St., Menlo Park, CA tel PAGE 70

5 ATTACHMENT A General Law City v. Charter City Originally published by League of California Cities and Updated by City Attorney Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Ability to Govern Municipal Affairs Form of Government Elections Generally Methods of Elections Bound by the state s general law, regardless of whether the subject concerns a municipal affair. State law describes the city s form of government For example, Government Code section authorizes general law cities be governed by a city council of five members, a city clerk, a city treasurer, a police chief, a fire chief and any subordinate officers or employees as required by law. City electors may adopt ordinance which provides for a different number of council members. Cal. Gov t section The Government Code also authorizes the city manager form of government. Cal. Gov t Code Municipal elections conducted in accordance with the California Elections Code. Cal. Elec. Code et seq. Generally holds at-large elections whereby voters vote for any candidate on the ballot. Cities may also choose to elect the city council by or from districts, so long as the election system has been established by ordinance and approved by the voters. Cal. Gov t Code Mayor may be elected by the city council or by vote of the people. Cal. Gov t Code Has supreme authority over municipal affairs. Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b). Charter can provide for any form of government including the strong mayor, and city manager forms. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b); Cal. Gov t Code et seq. Not bound by the California Elections Code. May establish own election dates, rules, and procedures. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b); Cal. Elec. Code et seq. After Bell scandal, charter cities subject to some statewide elections laws. May establish procedures for selecting officers. May hold at-large or district elections. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b). If City adopts broad enabling charter it would be able to adopt any and all ordinances governing municipal affairs. Not likely to impact Menlo Park unless it wanted to pursue a strong mayor or other non-traditional form of government. Many charter cities have implemented all-mail elections to save costs. Starting with June 2018 primary, San Mateo County is implementing an allmail election law (Voters Choice Act) which could neutralize distinction. Would allow Menlo Park to implement hybrid voting systems and cumulative/ranked choice voting. 1 PAGE 71

6 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park City Council Member Qualifications Public Funds for Candidate in Municipal Elections Minimum qualifications are: 1. United States citizen 2. At least 18 years old 3. Registered voter 4. Resident of the city at least 15 days prior to the election and throughout his or her term 5. If elected by or from a district, be a resident of the geographical area comprising the district from which he or she is elected. Cal. Elec. Code 321; Cal. Gov t Code 34882, 36502; 87 Cal. Op. Att y Gen. 30 (2004). No public officer shall expend and no candidate shall accept public money for the purpose of seeking elected office. Cal. Gov t Code Can establish own criteria for city office provided it does not violate the U.S. Constitution. Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b), 82 Cal. Op. Att y Gen. 6, 8 (1999). Public financing of election campaigns is lawful. Johnson v. Bradley, 4 Cal. 4th 389 (1992). No significant differences in this area. Charter cities typically have same candidate qualifications as general law cities. Historically, this has not been perceived as a problem in Menlo Park. Term Limits May provide for term limits. Cal. Gov t Code 36502(b). May provide for term limits. Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b); Cal Gov t Code Section (b). No difference in this area. Vacancies and Termination of Office An office becomes vacant in several instances including death, resignation, removal for failure to perform official duties, electorate irregularities, absence from meetings without permission, and upon non-residency. Cal. Gov t Code 1770, 36502, May establish criteria for vacating and terminating city offices so long as it does not violate the state and federal constitutions. Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b). Historically, this has not been a problem in Menlo Park. 2 PAGE 72

7 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Council Member Compensation and Expense Reimbursement Legislative Authority Resolutions Quorum and Voting Requirements Salary-ceiling is set by city population and salary increases set by state law except for compensation established by city electors. See Cal. Gov t Code If a city provides any type of compensation or payment of expenses to council members, then all council members are required to have two hours of ethics training. See Cal. Gov t Code Ordinances may not be passed within five days of introduction unless they are urgency ordinances. Cal. Gov t Code Ordinances may only be passed at a regular meeting, and must be read in full at time of introduction and passage except when, after reading the title, further reading is waived. Cal. Gov't Code May establish rules regarding the procedures for adopting, amending or repealing resolutions. A majority of the city council constitutes a quorum for transaction of business. Cal. Gov t Code All ordinances, resolutions, and orders for the payment of money require a recorded majority vote of the total membership of the city council. Cal. Gov't Code Specific legislation requires supermajority votes for certain actions. May establish council members salaries. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b). If a city provides any type of compensation or payment of expenses to council members, then all council members are required to have two hours of ethics training. See Cal. Gov t Code Post-Bell reforms require charter proposals to disclose whether council members will have power to increase their own salary. May establish procedures for enacting local ordinances. Brougher v. Bd. of Public Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928). May establish procedures for adopting, amending or repealing resolutions. Brougher v. Bd. of Public Works, 205 Cal. 426 (1928). May establish own procedures and quorum requirements. However, certain legislation requiring supermajority votes is applicable to charter cities. For example, see California Code of Civil Procedure section requiring a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the governing body to adopt an eminent domain resolution unless a greater vote is required by charter. 3 PAGE 73 Historically, this has not been a problem in Menlo Park. Post-Bell it could be politically challenging to adopt changes in this area. Could be easier to adopt legislation as a charter city, though historically, this has not been a barrier in Menlo Park. Historically, this has not been a problem in Menlo Park. Historically, this has not been a problem in Menlo Park.

8 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Rules Governing Procedure and Decorum Personnel Matters Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal. Gov t Code 54951, 54953(a). Conflict of interest laws are applicable. See Cal. Gov t Code et seq. May establish standards, requirements and procedures for hiring personnel consistent with Government Code requirements. May have civil service system, which includes comprehensive procedures for recruitment, hiring, testing and promotion. See Cal. Gov't Code et seq. Meyers-Milias-Brown Act applies. Cal. Gov't Code Cannot require employees be residents of the city, but can require them to reside within a reasonable and specific distance of their place of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI, 10(b). Ralph Brown Act is applicable. Cal. Gov t Code 54951, 54953(a). Conflict of interest laws are applicable. See Cal. Gov t Code et seq. May provide provisions related to ethics, conflicts, campaign financing and incompatibility of office. May establish standards, requirements, and procedures, including compensation, terms and conditions of employment for personnel. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 5(b). Procedures set forth in Meyers-Milias- Brown Act (Cal. Gov't Code 3500) apply, but note, [T]here is a clear distinction between the substance of a public employee labor issue and the procedure by which it is resolved. Thus there is no question that 'salaries of local employees of a charter city constitute municipal affairs and are not subject to general laws.' Voters for Responsible Retirement v. Board of Supervisors, 8 Cal.4th 765, 781 (1994). Cannot require employees be residents of the city, but can require them to reside within a reasonable and specific distance of their place of employment. Cal. Const. art. XI, section 10(b). Evolving area, but more latitude to out source certain jobs. Historically, this has not been a problem in Menlo Park. Could provide more flexibililty to outsource jobs. 4 PAGE 74

9 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Contracting Services Public Contracts Authority to enter into contracts to carry out necessary functions, including those expressly granted and those implied by necessity. See Cal. Gov t Code 37103; Carruth v. City of Madera, 233 Cal.App.2d 688 (1965). Competitive bidding required for public works contracts over $5,000. Cal. Pub. Cont. Code Such contracts must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder. Pub. Cont. Code If city elects subject itself to uniform construction accounting procedures, less formal procedures may be available for contracts less than $100,000. See Cal. Pub. Cont. Code 22000, Contracts for professional services such as private architectural, landscape architectural, engineering, environmental, land surveying, or construction management firms need not be competitively bid, but must be awarded on basis of demonstrated competence and professional qualifications necessary for the satisfactory performance of services. Cal. Gov't Code Full authority to contract consistent with charter. May transfer some of its functions to the county including tax collection, assessment collection and sale of property for nonpayment of taxes and assessments. Cal. Gov't Code 51330, 51334, Not required to comply with bidding statutes provided the city charter or a city ordinance exempts the city from such statutes, and the subject matter of the bid constitutes a municipal affair. Pub. Cont. Code ; see R & A Vending Services, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles, 172 Cal.App. 3d 1188 (1985); Howard Contracting, Inc. v. G.A. MacDonald Constr. Co., 71 Cal. App. 4th 38 (1998). Could provide more flexibility to outsource services, such as parking violations. Could shorten time for construction bidding and allow for awards to most qualified, rather than lowest monetary, bidder. 5 PAGE 75

10 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Payment of Prevailing Wages In general, prevailing wages must be paid on public works projects over $1,000. Cal. Lab. Code Higher thresholds apply ($15,000 or $25,000) if the public entity has adopted a special labor compliance program. See Cal. Labor Code (a)-(c). Historically, charter cities have not been bound by state law prevailing-wage requirements so long as the project is a municipal affair, and not one funded by state or federal grants. Vial v. City of San Diego, 122 Cal. App. 3d 346, 348 (1981). SB 7 largely eliminated charter cities incentive to exempt themselves from prevailing wage laws by disallowing State grant funding. The constitutionality of SB 7 is being legally challenged by a group of charter cities. Given SB 7, charter cities no longer exempt themselves from paying prevailing wages. Thus no longer distinction in this area. 6 PAGE 76

11 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Finance and Taxing Power Streets and Sidewalks May impose the same kinds of taxes and assessment as charter cities. See Cal. Gov't Code Imposition of taxes and assessments subject to Proposition 218. Cal. Const. art.xiiic. Examples of common forms used in assessment district financing include: Improvement Act of Cal. Sts. & High. Code et seq. Municipal Improvement Act of See Cal. Sts. & High. Code et seq. Improvement Bond Act of Cal. Sts. & High. Code 8500 et seq. Landscaping and Lighting Act of Cal. Sts. & High. Code et seq. Benefit Assessment Act of Cal. Gov't Code et seq. May impose business license taxes for regulatory purposes, revenue purposes, or both. See Cal. Gov't Code May not impose real property transfer tax. See Cal. Const. art. XIIIA, 4; Cal. Gov't Code 53725; but see authority to impose documentary transfer taxes under certain circumstances. Cal. Rev. & Tax. Code 11911(a), (c). State has preempted entire field of traffic control. Cal. Veh. Code 21. Have the power to tax. Have broader assessment powers than a general law city, as well as taxation power as determined on a case-by case basis. Imposition of taxes and assessments subject to Proposition 218, Cal. Const. art. XIIIC, 2, and own charter limitations. May proceed under a general assessment law, or enact local assessment laws and then elect to proceed under the local law. See J.W. Jones Companies v. City of San Diego, 157 Cal. App. 3d 745 (1984). May impose business license taxes for any purpose unless limited by state or federal constitutions, or city charter. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 5. May impose real property transfer tax; does not violate either Cal. Const art. XIIIA or California Government Code section See Cohn v. City of Oakland, 223 Cal. App. 3d 261 (1990); Fielder v. City of Los Angeles, 14 Cal. App. 4th 137 (1993). State has preempted entire field of traffic control. Cal. Veh. Code 21. Adoption of documentary transfer tax has been noted as a benefit of charter city status. No significant difference in this area. 7 PAGE 77

12 Characteristic General City Law Charter City How Impacts Menlo Park Penalties & Cost Recovery Public Utilities/Franchises Zoning May impose fines, penalties and forfeitures, with a fine not exceeding $1,000. Cal. Gov t Code May establish, purchase, and operate public works to furnish its inhabitants with electric power. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 9(a); Cal. Gov t Code 39732; Cal. Pub. Util. Code May grant franchises to persons or corporations seeking to furnish light, water, power, heat, transportation or communication services in the city to allow use of city streets for such purposes. The grant of franchises can be done through a bidding process, under the Broughton Act, Cal. Pub. Util. Code , or without a bidding process under the Franchise Act of 1937, Cal. Pub. Util. Code Zoning ordinances must be consistent with general plan. Cal. Gov t Code May enact ordinances providing for various penalties so long as such penalties do not exceed any maximum limits set by the charter. County of Los Angeles v. City of Los Angeles, 219 Cal. App. 2d 838, 844 (1963). May establish, purchase, and operate public works to furnish its inhabitants with electric power. See Cal. Const. art. XI, 9(a); Cal. Apartment Ass n v. City of Stockton, 80 Cal. App. 4th 699 (2000). May establish conditions and regulations on the granting of franchises to use city streets to persons or corporations seeking to furnish light, water, power, heat, transportation or communication services in the city. Franchise Act of 1937 is not applicable if charter provides. Cal. Pub. Util. Code Zoning ordinances are not required to be consistent with general plan unless the city has adopted a consistency requirement by charter or ordinance. Cal. Gov t. Code Exemptions from certain procedural requirements of Government Code. Historically, this has not been a problem in Menlo Park. Historically, this has not been identified as a problem area in Menlo Park. Recent judicial trend to expand issues of statewide concern in this area. Similarly, State legislature is expanding reach to charter cities requiring litigation to assert local control. While pendulum may shift in future, the gap between general law and charter cities continues to narrow. 8 PAGE 78

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